In mid-August, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to spend four days in Colombia. Between crowds and various social events, it was a visit with high (royal) added value.
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Prince’s journey
This summer, Meghan and Harry opted for Colombia. At the invitation of the country’s vice president, Francia Marquez, they spent four days there, with one official meeting after another, sweaty handshakes, express travel, TV interviews, glamorous photos, oppressive crowds, benevolent speeches and endless socializing. If it was a vacation, it failed. If it was a “royal tour”-style communications operation designed to occupy media space, it succeeded.
Hat craft
On that day, Meghan chose white pants, an ecru tank top, aviator sunglasses and a summer hat. The choice of a Panama hat was perfectly respectable, all the more so because it allows us to set the record straight. For example, the Panama hat is not from Panama but from neighboring Ecuador. It’s not just an advertising gimmick for the VIPs at the French Open. No, it’s an accessory of choice, the fruit of ancestral craftsmanship and luxury, perpetuated by quality brands such as Montecristi and Cuenca.
Soft material
By her side, Harry donned one of summer’s most boring classics. In fact, the shirt is the relaxed version of men who are not relaxed. What’s so special about it? Obviously, its material, a light linen, often Italian, sometimes French or Belgian, soft and wrinkled in any case. Secondly, its color, an uninteresting sky-blue, totally bland after a few washes at 40°C. Finally, its French collar, timidly half-open to reveal the worrying outline of a small necklace. Did we say “boring”? We’re too kind.
Traditional guide
That day, the star couple were visiting Palenque de San Basilio. Located in northern Colombia, the village was founded in the 17th century by escaped African slaves, and is still, five centuries later, a bastion of Afro-Colombian culture. This is reflected in the attire worn by the guide accompanying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. His tunic and hat are traditional African pieces, while his crochet bag, adorned with a pompom, is a mochila made by the Wayuu Amerindian people on the border of Colombia and Venezuela.
Gazelle look
While we’re on the subject of Meghan and Harry’s entourage, let’s take a look at the pair of sneakers worn by the young woman, dressed in black, on the left. She is wearing a pair of Gazelles, a model launched by Adidas in 1966 and historically designed for indoor sports. The brown, translucent rubber sole was designed to enable athletes to play handball, volleyball and other gym activities with ease and without leaving ugly marks on the floor.
